By Rob Everingham
PLENTYWOOD It wasnt easy, but the Chinook Sugarbeeters (7-1) have clinched a first-round home game next Saturday in the Class B football playoffs with a 26-20 win over Plentywood.
Chinook got on the board first as quarterback Mike Maddox kept the ball and ran it in from three yards out. Plentywood answered, though, but both teams missed extra points leaving the score 6-6 after one quarter of play.
Plentywood took the lead in the second, but Chinook tied the game on a Kyle Butcher 27-yard run, and regained the lead as Justin Friede knocked through the extra point.
The Beeters scored again in the second quarter, as Maddox, again on a keeper, ran the ball in from just two yards away. Another Friede extra point gave Chinook a 20-12 halftime lead.
Neither team could score points in the third quarter.
In the fourth, Maddox found Friede on a 50-yard scoring strike, putting Chinook up, 27-12.
Plentywood scored, and made the two-point conversion to cut the lead to seven, but were stopped late in the game.
Chinook head coach Scott Friede said Plentywood played a very good game, and, he said, he doesnt think his team was on top of their game, and feels they took Plentywood too lightly.
Friede did say they did good things at times, and, he said, he was happy to see how his team played down the stretch.
The 7-1 record the Beeters now boast is the best finish under Friede, and, he said, they are very excited for the first playoff game.
Chinook will face another 7-1 team as Shelby comes to town this Saturday.
Friede said Shelby has a strong defense and some quickness. Friede said their quickness is their greatest asset.
We need to find a way to contain their speed, Friede said.
